Like many of you, we are excited that the 2012 football season will begin this Saturday. Students play a valuable role in the tradition of Hawkeye football, both as players on the field and fans in the stadium. Respect for others is a key component of The IOWA Challenge, which calls on us to be good neighbors and make Iowa City a great place to live.
Hawks Nest, the official student section of Iowa Athletics, was instrumental in collaborating with similar groups from other Big Ten institutions to create the Big Ten Sportsmanship and Spirit Agreement (http://hawksnest.uiowa.edu/2011/08/b1g/). This Agreement and the UI home game safety policies have been developed to ensure the experience of all Hawkeye fans and visitors to Kinnick Stadium is enjoyable.
A few things to remember when attending games this fall:
· Remember, as a fan and student, you are representing The University of Iowa and our Hawkeyes.
· Be proud and cheer loud, but remember there are young Hawkeye fans at the game — so watch your language, please.
· Welcome visiting teams and their fans.
· Respect game officials.
· Overconsumption of alcohol contributes to disruptive fan behavior in many cases. Student ticket holders who drink alcohol in the stadium or engage in other disruptive behavior will lose their stadium privileges for at least one game. Depending upon the gravity of the infraction, a disruptive student may be suspended from the University of Iowa or placed on probation in addition to being ejected from the stadium, so choose your behavior appropriately. Please note that these policies apply to the original purchaser of the tickets even if the original ticket holder elects to sell or give away his/her ticket to another student.
· Again this year, law enforcement will patrol outside of Kinnick Stadium. Iowa City’s open container ordinance will be strictly enforced. That law prohibits people from carrying open beer, wine and hard liquor on public sidewalks and roads.
· Be respectful of the neighborhoods and University buildings that surround the stadium.
· Please stay off the field. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during and after a game are spectators permitted to enter the playing field.
· Visit http://www.hawkeyesports.com/gameday/gameday-m-footbl.html for other safety guidelines and fan information for Hawkeye football games.
· If you attend a home game and your opportunity to enjoy the game is compromised by a disruptive fan, you can report issues by sending a text message to UI officials requesting assistance. The text should be sent to 57375. Type the word “ALERT” followed by the issue and the location. The text message is received by UI staffers, who will dispatch the appropriate response. Inappropriate or prank texts will be reported to the proper authorities.
· Show your Hawkeye pride and wear your black and gold!
On Iowa and Go Hawks!
David Grady
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students
Nic Pottebaum and Jessie Tobin
President and Vice President
University of Iowa Student Government
Michael Appel and Emma Hashman
President and Vice President
Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students
TJ McCann and Matt Boeding
President and Vice President
Hawks Nest